SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Surveying 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
20486  National Certificate: Surveying 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Surveying 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CETA - Construction Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  153  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 9999/99  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
This qualification has been developed for the Surveying occupational area. It aims, through a planned combination of unit standards, to equip learners with skills and knowledge to undertake field surveying tasks and duties in any working environment, by collecting spatial data in different forms.

This qualification has been developed to assist with professionalisation across the survey industry. This will allow learners to get employed as Assistant Survey Technicians and lay a foundation for future career advancement in the survey learning area.


Rationale of the qualification

As a result of past legacies many practitioners within the surveying occupational area were denied career advancement and possible registration with the professional survey council. This was as a direct result of poor educational opportunities at some schools, leading to a lack of entry to higher education institutes. The introduction of a National Certificate in Surveying based on unit standards will allow learners to reach their full potential of advancement without formal education becoming an impassable barrier and in addition, allow for the recognition of prior learning. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner entering a programme leading to this qualification has achieved a FET Certificate at NQF level 4, and is proficient in Mathematics, Communication and English, or has several years relevant survey experience.


Recognition of prior learning:

Any learner wishing to be assessed may arrange to do so without having to attend further education or training (RPL). The assessor and learner will decide jointly on the most appropriate assessment procedures. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
Fundamental Component:
  • 36 credits (All the fundamental unit standards are compulsory).

    Core Component:
  • 99 credits (All the core unit standards are compulsory).

    Elective Component:
  • Learners must choose elective unit standards totalling a minimum of 18 credits.

    Total credits: 153. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    On achieving this qualification a learner will be able to:
  • Undertake surveys in any working environment by collecting, presenting and controlling Spatial data in differing forms.
  • Use a wide variety of advanced survey instruments, Hydrographic survey techniques and computer software.
  • Set out accurately predetermined points on the ground.
  • Perform manual and electronic calculations and produce survey basic plans utilising the field data captured.
  • Display an understanding of survey theory required in support of the practical outcomes.
  • Safely operate, as a field Surveyor in individual, team or project situations.
  • Communicate effectively with the world at large.
  • Develop a set of professional ethics and values regarding the survey discipline.
  • Undertake supervisory functions while continuously monitoring and adapting own performance. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    In particular assessors should check that the learner must demonstrate an ability to consider a range of options and make decisions about:
  • Measure the quality of the observed practical performance as well as the theory and underpinning knowledge behind it.
  • Use methods that are varied to allow the learner to display thinking and decision making in the demonstration of practical performance.
  • Maintain a balance between practical performance and theoretical assessment methods to ensure each is measured in accordance with the level of the qualification.
  • The relationship between practical and theoretical is not fixed but varies according to the type and level of qualification.


    Integrated Assessment:

    Integrated assessment provides learners with an opportunity to display an ability to integrate practical performance, actions, concepts and theory across unit standards to achieve competence in relation to the purpose of this qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Within the surveying field the concept of qualifications based on unit standards is unique to South Africa. A learner having gained this qualification would be able to register with the South African Council for Professional and Technical Surveyors and through their numerous reciprocal agreements gain international recognition. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification has been developed for professional practice across the industry and is intended to professionalise technical competence in the industry ensuring the upliftment of the standards in general.

    It is applicable to small and large business alike. This qualification builds on other certificates from a range of sub-sectors and will provide articulation with a range of qualifications in both management and service areas of practice. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA`s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation; in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between ETQA`s (including professional bodies); and in terms of the moderation guideline detailed immediately below.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification.

    Anyone wishing to be assessed against this Qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution, which is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    For an applicant to register as an assessor, the applicant needs:
  • A minimum of 2 (two) years` practical, relevant occupational experience.
  • Declared competent in all the outcomes of the National Assessor Unit Standards as stipulated by SAQA.
  • Detailed documentary proof of educational qualification, practical training undergone, and experience gained by the applicant must be provided (Portfolio of Evidence). 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  14257  Position a tape for measuring  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Core  11596  Construct a Cartesian co-ordinate grid and plot points  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  14442  Plot tape and offset measurements on a plan  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Core  14242  Read a plan  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Core  11637  Set up a survey instrument to take observations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  11694  Undertake tape and offset surveying  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Core  14434  Calculate the provisional position of a survey point from polar/traverse observations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Core  14461  Determine quantities from plotted data  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  11598  Determine the elevation of a point by levelling  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Core  14237  Observe the position of a survey point by forward intersection  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  14236  Observe the position of a survey point by polar / traversing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  14240  Observe the position of a survey point by resection  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  14241  Observe the position of a survey point by trilateration  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  14235  Observe the position of a survey point by using tacheometric methods  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  11624  Obtain information from a plan  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  11627  Perform computer aided survey draughting (CAD)  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Core  14258  Reduce tacheometric observations and produce a plan  Level 4  NQF Level 04  2 
    Core  11635  Set out pre-determined points  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Core  11594  Calculate the distance and direction between two co-ordinated survey points  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
    Core  14438  Calculate the final position of a survey point from polar / traverse observations  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
    Core  14239  Determine the elevation of a point by precise levelling  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  3 
    Core  11628  Perform co-ordinate conversions  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
    Core  11629  Perform elementary co-ordinate transformations  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  4 
    Fundamental  9015  Apply knowledge of statistics and probability to critically interrogate and effectively communicate findings on life related problems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  8974  Engage in sustained oral communication and evaluate spoken texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  8975  Read analyse and respond to a variety of texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  9016  Represent analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Fundamental  8979  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  7468  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business, national and international issues  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Fundamental  8976  Write for a wide range of contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  12908  Set out control point for centre line and edge line marking for road marking  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Elective  116937  Use a Graphical User Interface (GUI)-based spreadsheet application to create and edit spreadsheets  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Elective  117924  Use a Graphical User Interface (GUI)-based word processor to format documents  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Elective  257095  Carry out basic surveying and calculations in surface excavations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Elective  7786  Operate a Computer  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Elective  14256  Pilot an underwater remotely operated vehicle  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Elective  14572  Set out control points for marking barrier lines and islands  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Elective  14573  Set out control points for marking symbols  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Elective  14574  Set out pipes, culverts and transfer levels  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Elective  14271  Perform distance measurements using a tape and Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) equipment  Level 4  NQF Level 04  2 
    Elective  11713  Reduce basic distance measurements (Tape or EDM) for use in surveying  Level 4  NQF Level 04  2 
    Elective  14437  Undertake acoustic positioning systems monitoring  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  11601  Determine the final position of a survey point by global positioning system (GPS)  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
    Elective  11760  Plan and execute a survey using GNSS/GPS  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Elective  15149  Survey and set out construction work areas  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Academy for Construction Skills (Pty) Ltd (ACS) 
    2. Aveng Grinaker -LTA Civil Engineering 
    3. Ekurhuleni East College For TVET 
    4. Raubex Construction Pty (Ltd) 
    5. Tjeka Training Matters Pty Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.